Nu 101 Project

Participant in the Nu 101 Project

Stories

About the Project

We started thinking about the project in June 2017, when we noticed the lack of diversity among the people photographed by many of the best-known fine-art nude photographers. We kept seeing the same pattern: young, white and extremely thin women. Although those projects were often beautiful, they did not represent the plurality of bodies and people that exist, while reinforcing a standardised image of women in the collective imagination.

We also missed seeing men in the projects we encountered. When we did find them, the images often presented only demonstrations of the “tough men” they were expected to be, rather than genuine portraits of personalities that could also contain fragility and tenderness.

In July 2017, we gave the project its name. Nu 101 comes from the English expression “one-on-one”, which can suggest one person explaining something directly to another, like a tutorial. In June 2018, we returned to the project at full speed and began to understand how much it could help people in ways we had never imagined.

Our goal is to create a remarkable experience through the portrait session. We do not offer photographs alone, but a day designed to remain in the memory of every person we photograph.

Portrait of Raphael Medeiros

Raphael Medeiros

Director, cinematographer, producer, editor and photographer. Raphael has photographed since childhood, when his parents gave him his first digital camera. In 2017 he helped found the Bangô collective and began developing Nu 101, a project that turned photography into a practice of listening, presence and representation of real bodies. He now works across personal photography and audiovisual production, with experience in short films, music videos and corporate films. His work includes Assimply, Curtinha, Macetinho and Azul, on which he served as executive producer, director of photography and colorist.

Follow the Project on Instagram

@101nu

Testimonials from people who took part in the project

Portrait of Allan

It was a wild experience. I expected to arrive, be overwhelmed by shyness and run away, but the conversation developed so naturally and comfortably. The session happened calmly, at the right pace for everyone. My insecurities about my body faded away, and the final result exceeded every expectation.

Allan

Would you like to take part in the project?

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FAQ

The questions we receive most often

Who can be photographed?

Any adult can take part in the project.

Where are you based?

We are based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and can also arrange sessions in other states and countries when there is enough interest.

Can I bring a friend?

Absolutely. We actually recommend bringing a friend along if that helps you feel comfortable.

Do you photograph couples or groups?

Yes. Couples, trios, quartets and larger groups are all welcome.

Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept PIX and credit or debit cards.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. Instalment payments are available by credit card.

Project Archive

2019

49 photographs

A person sitting on the ground, facing the camera, in a natural light setting with blurred background.
A person swimming in clear water, green grass in the background, soft sunlight.
A woman swims in a lake, under a dark sky with soft light, captured in black and white.
A woman sits on a rock, waterfall in the background with bright, direct lighting.
A woman sits on the edge of a lake, gazing at calm water under evening light.
A woman sits on a bench, trees in the background, soft natural light, clear environmental details.
A woman lies on the ground, surrounded by trees with soft, diffused light filtering through the canopy.
A woman sits on rocks, trees in the background with water visible behind her.
Person lying on ground, surrounded by trees, rocks, and water. Soft light, natural framing.
A woman stands facing a dark, uniform background with no visible details.
A woman in glasses stands on the floor, surrounded by boxes, clothes, and objects in the background.
A woman stands before boxes and green plants, with green trees in the background and a white sky.
A person sits on the floor, surrounded by cardboard boxes, plants, a cage, and chairs, in a white-walled space with soft natural light.
A woman holds two animals in her hands, wearing a sweater, under natural light with balanced framing.
A woman stands facing water in the background, with soft, reflective surface and even lighting.
A woman sits on a wooden bench, looking ahead, under soft, diffused natural light.
A woman swims in water, with hills and sky in the background.
A woman sits on a bench, looking ahead, with a blurred background.
A woman sits on rocks, waterfall in the background, natural light highlighting the water and stone surfaces.
A woman stands on the ground, surrounded by rocks, plants, and trees in the background.
A woman sits on a wooden bench, looking ahead, under soft, diffused natural light.
Person lying on a smooth surface, soft light coming from upper right corner.
Two people sitting in water, rocks in the background, soft light, balanced framing.
A woman swims in clear water, surrounded by rocks in the background.
Two women standing on a rock, waterfall in the background, natural light, clear framing and contrast between figures and environment.
A woman sits on the floor, facing a mirror and a wall, with natural light coming from a corner of the room.
A woman sits, a plant in a pot on the left, background features a door and a wall.
A woman sits on a bed, wearing a ring, with boxes and objects in the background.
A man sitting in front of a wall, soft natural light coming from above.
A man sits on a concrete bench, looking ahead, under soft natural light.
A woman stands before a glass window, trees and buildings visible behind, soft light and high contrast in black and white.
A woman sits on a concrete bench, facing forward, illuminated softly from the left.
A woman sits on a bench, looking ahead, with a blurred background.
A woman sits on a bench, looking ahead, with a blurred background.
A woman lies on the ground, surrounded by water, hills, and a clear sky.
A woman swims in a lake, rocks in the background, soft light from above.
A woman sits on a building step, trees in the background, natural light from the right.
A woman lies on the floor, clothes faded, natural light coming from a window on the side.
A woman lies on a bed with loose clothes, natural light streaming from a window.
A human body is in an open space, under soft natural light, with a blurred background and minimal framing.
Person sitting on floor, facing a solid wall, soft natural light from above.
A woman stands facing a window with natural light streaming through the glass.
A woman lies on a rock, waterfalls in the background, soft light, natural framing.
A man holds a plant beside trees and water in the background, natural light soft and even.
A woman sits on a rock, surrounded by rocks and plants, natural light from the side.
A woman swims in clear water, surrounded by rocks in the background.
A woman stands in an open space, lit by soft natural light, against a black and white background.
A woman sits on a chair, facing the camera in a dark setting with soft background lighting.
A woman sitting on a bench, looking sideways, with a metallic object in the background, soft natural light.

2nd Nu 101 Experience · 2019

42 photographs

A woman sits on a couch, smiling, with a green object in the background, soft natural light.
A woman sits on a bed, background a solid wall, soft natural light filtering from a window.
A woman sits on a couch, smiling, with natural light from a window in the background.
A woman sits on a bed, tattoos visible on her skin, lit by soft natural light from a window.
A woman lies on a bed in a white and black dress, natural light streams from the headboard.
A woman sits on a bed in a black dress, with a wall in the background.
A woman sitting in front of a wall, soft natural light coming from above.
Person standing in front of a wall, natural light softly falling behind.
Hand with visible tattoo in a dark setting, soft background lighting, sharp contrast against a smooth backdrop.
A person's leg lies on the floor, near a straight wall, with soft natural light and wide framing.
Person sitting on couch, brick wall in background. Soft natural light, balanced framing.
Person standing in front of a wall, natural light softly falling behind.
Person sitting on a chair, table with flower vase on the right; door in the background, soft natural light.
A man sits on a chair, facing a table with a flower vase. Direct light from the ceiling.
Person standing in front of a wall, with soft light coming from a source in the background.
Person sitting on sofa, facing camera, soft natural light from side window.
A woman holds a book on a couch with cushions; brick wall in background, soft natural light.
A woman sits on a couch, against a brick wall and a window, with natural light from the window.
Two people lying on a bed, back to back, with soft light coming from the wall corner.
A man sits on a concrete bench, looking ahead, under soft natural light.
Legs visible in an indoor setting, lit by soft, diffused natural light.
A person's hand holds an object, in a dimly lit space with soft window light.
A woman sits on a bed, holding a pillow, wearing glasses, in a softly lit room.
A woman sits on a sofa, facing a background wall, lit by soft natural light.
A woman sitting and smiling, facing a straight wall with even lighting.
Person sitting on sofa, facing camera, soft natural light from side window.
A woman facing away, looking into the background, with a corner of the wall visible behind her.
Person lying on a bed, facing the ceiling, natural light filtering through an open window.
Person sitting on couch, facing the ceiling, soft natural light from a window on the side.
A woman sits on a bed with a pillow, background features a wall and a door.
A woman lies on a couch with a few pillows, a window in the background, soft natural light.
A woman sits in front of a window, natural light streaming from the glass frame.
A woman sits on a couch with scattered clothes, warm brown walls lit by soft natural light.
A woman sits at a window, facing the background with objects and natural light streaming through the glass.
Person lying on couch, natural light from window. Flower pot in background.
A woman in a hammock holds a cloth; background features a chair, wall, and another person sitting on it.
Person lying on bed, soft lights from ceiling and walls.
A woman smiling in a space with scattered lights around, balanced framing with clear lighting details.
A woman stands holding an object in a dimly lit space, illuminated from above.
A woman sits on a mat, smiling, with a wall in the background.
A woman plays guitar on a couch with a pillow beside her, soft natural light illuminating the scene.
A woman seated in a dark setting, soft light coming from above.

2018

76 photographs

A woman lies on the water, back facing, body parallel to surface, soft overhead light.
A woman in glasses sits on water's surface, with trees in the background.
A woman sits on a rock, trees in the background, soft natural light, balanced framing.
A man sits on a bench, with text on a black-and-white background.
A human body in a room, natural light filtering through a partially open window.
Two figures in a confined space, outlined by natural light and strong contrasts in black and white.
Man sitting on sofa, woman standing in background, wall visible behind.
A man walks past buildings, sky visible in the background, soft natural light, wide-angle framing.
Person standing in calm water, bright sky in background, natural daylight.
Person sitting on ground, surrounded by water, hills, and sky, under soft, diffused light.
A woman stands facing a waterfall, rocks in the background, natural light highlighting water and stone.
Woman in glasses sitting on a rock, with ground below.
A woman swims in clear water, surrounded by rocks in the background.
A woman sits on a couch holding an object; in the background, another woman holds an object at a stool, with a table and several items on it.
Two people facing a wall, black and white setting, soft lighting, balanced framing.
Two women lying on the floor, backs to the camera, wearing loose clothes, natural light from a nearby window.
Two women seated in a space with a mesh and trees in the background, soft natural light, balanced framing.
A woman stands, with a window on the left and a wall in the background.
A woman sits on a chair, with a wall and a window in the background.
A woman stands beside a metal rod, buildings and lights in the background.
A woman stands facing a curtain, natural light streaming from the right side.
A woman sits on a bench with a pot and cloth, surrounded by buildings and a clear sky.
A woman sits on a bench, looking ahead, with a blurred background.
A man and a woman stand beside framed artwork and a visible wall clock.
A woman lies on the floor, a cat sits beside her, soft natural light from a window.
A person holds a board in an indoor setting, with a table, wall, light, and another hand in the background.
Two people lying on floor, back to viewer, in a room with soft natural light and defined shadows.
Two people lying on floor, backlit by soft window light; background features cat, bottles, chair, and curtain.
A woman stands before a curtain and wall, lit by soft natural light streaming through the frame.
A woman sits on a chair, facing the camera in a dark setting with soft background lighting.
A woman smiling stands in front of green trees, natural light softly illuminating the scene.
A woman smiles, facing a tree trunk on the left, with trees in the background under natural light.
A woman sits on a rock, trees in the background, branches and leaves at the bottom.
A woman sitting in front of a wall, soft natural light coming from above.
A woman stands facing a wall, natural light streaming from the lower corner, floor and wall visible.
A woman sits on a wooden bench, looking ahead, under soft, diffused natural light.
A woman sits on rocks, trees in the background, soft natural light, wide angle frame.
A woman in a grey dress stands before green trees, natural light, balanced framing, simple and direct.
A woman sitting on the ground, trees in the background, soft natural light, low angle.
A woman sitting in front of a wall, soft natural light coming from above.
A woman smiling, blurred background, soft light coming from upper right.
A woman smiling while seated on a chair, natural light, simple background.
Person sitting on sofa, background wall. Soft natural light, balanced framing.
Person seated on chair, window with curtain, photo frame on wall, trees in background.
A man holds a cigarette in his hand, in a dimly lit space with soft window light.
A man holds a cigarette against a dimly lit background wall, framed by soft natural light.
A woman sits on a concrete bench, facing forward, illuminated softly from the left.
A woman sits on a bench, trees in the background, soft natural light, clear environmental details.
A woman sits on a bench, trees in the background, soft natural light, clear environmental details.
A woman smiling in a dimly lit space, soft light coming from one corner.
A woman smiling in a dimly lit space, soft light coming from one corner.
A woman sits on a rock, trees in the background, soft natural light, balanced framing.
A woman seated in front of a wall, natural light coming from the upper right corner.
A woman sits on a building pillar, natural light coming from the left side.
A woman sits on a chair in a black and white setting, soft lighting, clear contrast.
Person standing in water, clothes dry, soft ambient light, open frame.
A person swimming in clear water, hill in the background under soft light.
Person lying on ground, near a rock and a wall. Natural light, simple framing.
Person lying on a rock, back to camera, in natural setting, soft golden light at dusk, framed by stone and grass.
Two women sitting on the floor near a sink with a towel on the counter.
Two people lying on floor, hands intertwined, under soft natural light, framed in a plain space.
A woman sits on the floor, surrounded by potted plants, a bench, a fence, a pipe, with cloudy sky in the background.
Person sitting on floor, lamp and plant in background, natural light from window.
Person sitting on floor near bed with several blue pillows.
Person sitting on floor near cabinets and clothes, with a wall in background and soft natural light.
A woman in glasses stands in a space filled with plants, natural light soft and even.
A woman stands against trees with bark, plants, and a cloudy sky in the background.
A woman wears glasses, seated on a wooden bench under soft natural light.
A woman holds a rope in a dark setting, with light contrast and monochrome framing.
A woman facing away, looking into the background, with a corner of the wall visible behind her.
A woman sits on the floor, rocks in the background, black and white, simple framing.
A woman sits on a toilet seat, against a solid wall with even lighting.
Person sitting on a wall, background with trees and buildings. Gray light, black and white framing.
A man walks ahead of trees, with clear sky in the background, soft natural light, balanced framing.
A man lies on the floor, a black object sits in front of him, soft natural light, simple background.
A man sitting in front of a wall, soft natural light coming from above.

1st Nu 101 Experience · 2018

48 photographs

A woman in glasses is in a space with a mesh background.
A person's hand holds an object, in a dimly lit space with soft window light.
A woman in specs sits, facing forward, in a room with a framed painting on the wall.
A woman in black glasses stands before white buildings, under soft natural light.
A man sits on a bench, facing the dark background.
Person lying on bed, soft light from ceiling, walls clearly visible in the frame.
A man sits in front of a wall, lit by a direct light source.
A face in focus, neutral expression, in a dark setting lit by a faint corner light.
Person sitting on a wooden object, background features a wall with a visible painting.
A man sits on a concrete bench, under soft natural light, with a clear sky behind him.
Two people seated on a couch, background features a wall and a framed painting attached to it.
Person sitting on a chair, facing a wall and window with natural light streaming through the glass.
Person sitting at a table, natural light from window, background features a framed poster on the wall.
Person sitting on chair wearing glasses, wall in background, soft natural light.
Man in glasses, seated on a wooden bench, under soft, natural light.
Person standing in a ceramic bathtub, soft light coming from a high window.
A person's hand holds an object, in a dimly lit space with soft window light.
Person sitting at a table, with railings, buildings, and trees in the background.
Man in black T-shirt and glasses, facing a wall, soft natural light in the background.
A woman sits at a table, facing the camera, natural light coming from a window on the side.
A man sits on a concrete bench, looking ahead, under soft natural light.
A woman lies on a bed, a tattoo visible on her hand, a white cloth placed on the bed.
A woman seated against a wall with a door in the background, soft natural light in the lower corner.
A woman sits on a bed with a pillow, background a solid wall.
Man sitting in front of a mesh background, soft natural light.
Person sitting on bed, soft light coming from a partially open window.
Man lying on bed, eyes closed, soft light coming from window.
A man lies on the floor, back exposed, with soft background lighting in black and white.
A woman sitting in front of a wall, soft natural light coming from above.
A person is in a space with a mesh background, soft natural light, and balanced framing.
A man standing back, facing a cracked wall, with soft light coming from above.
A woman sits on a chair, against a fence and building background.
A woman lies on a bed, facing away, with a cupboard and wall in the background.
A woman sits on a chair, with several chairs nearby and a frame on the wall in the background.
A woman sits on a bench, looking ahead, with a blurred background.
A person seated before a photo frame in a room, background a wall with natural light filtering through a window.
Person sitting on couch, natural light coming from window in background.
Person sleeping on a table, soft ambient light, building in the background.
Person sitting on a chair, background with wall and window. Outside, trees visible. Natural light, soft framing.
A man sits on a concrete bench, looking ahead, under soft natural light.
A cloth laid on a concrete floor, bathed in soft, diffused natural light.
A person's shoulder is visible in a dimly lit space, with soft light coming from a nearby window.
Person lying on floor, near a curtain gently swaying in natural light.
A woman sits on a couch, a photo frame visible on the wall in a room interior.
A woman in a cream dress lies on the floor, smiling, with a table on the right and framed walls in the background.
A woman lies on a bed, clothes loose, soft light from the corner of the frame.
A person's hands, interlaced, in a dark setting with soft window light illuminating the frame.
A woman sits on a bench, looking ahead, with a blurred background.

2017

12 photographs

A woman sits facing a wall with a curtain in the background, soft natural light in the lower right corner.
A woman sits facing the camera, a curtain behind her, softly lit by natural light.
A woman lies on a bed, holding a necklace under soft, even lighting.
Person with visible tattoos on body, blurred background.
A woman sits on a rock wearing glasses, surrounded by trees and open sky.
A woman lies on grass, facing the sky, under soft, diffused light.
A woman lies on the ground, rocks in the background. Soft light, high contrast, black and white.
Person lying on ground, surrounded by rocks, water, hills, and sky, natural daylight.
A woman sits on rocks, natural light streaming from the horizon.
A man sits on a rock, outlined by soft light in black and white.
A man sits on the ground, with water and sky in the background.
Person sitting on a rock, water and sky in the background, soft natural light, balanced framing.

Nu 101 Project image viewer